Chapter 10
1281 Words
Surrender
The door wouldn't budge. Ava rattled the handle again, panic rising like bile in her throat. The keypad blinked red, mocking her. Outside, the snowstorm howled, but inside the penthouse, the only sound was her ragged breathing and Lucian's footsteps closing in.
Unlock it, she demanded, spinning to face him. Her back pressed against the cold metal, heart slamming against her ribs. You can't keep me here like this.
Lucian's face was a mask of controlled fury, but his eyes, those storm gray eyes, betrayed something deeper, wilder. He stopped a foot away, towering over her, his presence filling the foyer like smoke. I can. And I will. Until you understand.
Understand what? She laughed, bitter and broken. That you're a monster? That this 'debt' is just an excuse to control me?
He actually flinched at the word monster. But he recovered quickly, stepping closer until his body heat enveloped her, his hands planting on either side of her head, caging her in. That you're not leaving me again. Not like this. Not ever.
The air between them crackled, thick with five years of unspoken pain. Ava's resolve wavered. She could fight, scream, scratch, demand he let her go. But deep down, in the part of her that still remembered the boy who'd whispered I love you under starlit skies, she didn't want to.
Her father's words echoed Escape while you can.
But looking into Lucian's eyes now, fractured and fierce, she couldn't.
Fine, she whispered, the word a surrender. You win.
His breath hitched. For a heartbeat, he searched her face, as if waiting for the punchline, the resistance. When it didn't come, something shifted in him softened, almost. He cupped her cheek, thumb brushing her lower lip, gentle where she'd expected rough.
No games? he murmured.
No games.
He kissed her then, slow and deep, like he was tasting her submission. No rush, no punishment. Just need. His hands slid down her sides, pulling her into him, and she went willingly, arms wrapping around his neck, fingers threading into his hair.
The world narrowed to this, his mouth on hers, the taste of scotch and snow, the way his body fit against her like puzzle pieces long separated.
He lifted her effortlessly, her legs wrapping around his waist as he carried her not to the bedroom, but to the living room. The wall of windows overlooked the city, lights blurred by the falling snow, a glittering sea of anonymity below. He set her on the edge of the grand piano, yes, the goddamn Steinway he never played her back to the keys, which chimed softly under her weight.
Here? she breathed, a half-laugh escaping.
Yes. His voice was rough, eyes dark with intent. Where the whole city can watch me claim what's mine.
He undressed her slowly, reverently. Buttons undone one by one, blouse slipping off her shoulders to pool on the ivory keys. Bra unclasped, his mouth following the path of exposed skin, kissing her collarbone, sucking gently at the swell of her breast. She arched into him, no resistance, just yielding, her body melting under his touch.
Lucian… His name was a sigh, a plea.
He knelt then, between her legs, pushing her skirt up her thighs. Panties slid down, discarded. The cold air hit her heated skin, but his breath was warm as he kissed her inner thigh, higher, higher, until his mouth found her center.
No teasing this time. He devoured her tongue flat and firm, circling her clit with deliberate pressure, fingers parting her folds to delve deeper. She gasped, hands gripping the piano edge, keys plinking discordant notes as her hips bucked. The city lights swam in her vision, a backdrop to the pleasure building, coiling tight in her belly.
He added fingers two, then three curling inside her, stroking that spot that made stars burst behind her eyelids. She came hard, crying out, body shuddering as waves crashed over her. He didn't stop, lapping her through it, drawing out every tremor until she was boneless, panting.
Only then did he rise, lips glistening, eyes locked on hers as he stripped. Shirt buttons popped in his haste, pants shoved down. He was hard, straining and when he positioned himself at her entrance, she nodded yes, please, now.
He entered her in one slow, deep thrust, filling her completely. They both groaned, foreheads touching, breaths mingling. For a moment he held still, savoring the connection, then began to move long, languid strokes that built a rhythm like a heartbeat.
Ava wrapped her legs around him tighter, pulling him deeper, her nails lightly scoring his back. No rush, this was surrender, not conquest. His hands roamed cupping her breasts, pinching n*****s just enough to sting sweetly, then soothing with his mouth. She kissed his neck, tasting salt, whispering his name like a mantra.
The piano sang under them, random notes punctuating each thrust. Outside, snow swirled, the city a hazy glow, but here it was just them sweat slicked skin, shared breaths, the slick sounds of their joining.
He shifted her then, turning her so she faced the windows, bent over the piano. Her breasts pressed against the cool wood, n*****s peaking at the contrast. He entered her from behind, one hand on her hip, the other sliding around to circle her clit. The angle was deeper, hitting new places that made her moan loader, uninhibited.
Look, he rasped, voice strained. Look at the city. They don't know, but you're mine. All mine.
She did stared at the twinkling lights as he drove into her, faster now, the pleasure cresting again. His free hand tangled in her hair, pulling just enough to arch her back, exposing her throat for his kisses, his bites.
Come for me, he commanded, fingers relentless. Let go.
She did shattering around him, clenching tight, her cry echoing off the glass. He followed moments later, thrusting deep one last time, spilling inside her with a guttural groan, body trembling against hers.
They stayed like that, connected, breaths syncing, until he softened and slipped free. He turned her gently, pulling her into his arms, both sinking to the rug beside the piano. The city watched, indifferent, as he wrapped a throw blanket around them.
Post coital haze settled, soft and warm. Ava rested her head on his chest, listening to his heartbeat slow. For the first time, there was no ledger mention, no credit applied. Just silence, broken only by the storm outside.
Then, quietly, he spoke. My father wasn't kind.
She lifted her head, surprised. Vulnerability wasn't his style.
Lucian stared at the ceiling, one hand tracing idle circles on her back. He drinks a lot. When things went wrong at the company or hell, when they went right, he'd take it out on me. Fists, mostly. Belts when he was creative. Mom looked the other way and said it built character.
Ava's heart ached. Lucian.
I learned early to guard myself. Walls up, always. Trust no one, because everyone leaves or hurts you eventually. His voice roughened. Then you came along. Cracked right through. And when you left, it confirmed everything. I became cold, controlling. To protect what was left.
She cupped his face, thumb brushing his scar. You're not him. You're better. But you have to let the walls down. With me.
He met her eyes, raw and open. I'm trying. God, Ava, I'm trying.
She kissed him softly, a promise. For the first time since her return, surrender felt like freedom not just for her, but for him too.
But as they lay there, the locked door loomed in her mind. Freedom? Or just a prettier cage?
- Writer
